Publisher's Summary

We could tell you about the bodies. We could tell you their names, where they were found, the states they were in. We could tell you about the suspects, too, the evidence, the investigators; join a few dots, even throw you a motive.

But what would be the point? After all, you know these people. You went to school with them. We all did. So if you really knew them then, you’ll already have all the answers....

Would you listen to A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil again? Why?

Absolutely listen again, so funny, so clever. I missed some of the puns the first time and my son listened and heard different funny bits. Black comedy at its best. The use of and understanding of language and communication is wonderful.

Which scene did you most enjoy?

When Martin comes home to his gran after all the new words he has heard at school tells her emphatically how much he enjoyed it.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The ironry of the teacher taking the belt to a pupil saying there should be no violence in class or the headteacher taking delight in hitting a small child.

Any additional comments?

Don't listen if swearing offends.

7 of 7 people found this review helpful

Gill

Stocksfield, United Kingdom

20/05/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Gripping"

Nobody does it better than Christopher Brookmeyer. So good I'm about to read it again to see what I missed first time round.Faultless narration by Angus King. Funny, moving and time travel back to my 70's childhood.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Andy

18/03/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Beautifully crafted"

What did you like most about A Tale Etched in Blood and Hard Black Pencil?

It is a skilled author such as Brookmyre that beautifully weaves two distinctive timelines and enable the listener to build attachments to key players in both stories. To love one character in the 1970s only to revoke those emotions 30 odd years later, and visa versa with other characters. Superb.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Too many to mention. JoJo as an example, whose character stretched your emotive briefcase to bursting point

Which scene did you most enjoy?

OMG.......the Assembly were MoMo the head teacher was lecturing the students. What narration, what a voice. And a school assembly thronged with 200+ kids, the inevitable farting scene had me in bits. I was driving at the time and had to pull over in fear of crashing.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both. More of the former, but I did moist up round the eyes right at the the end,

Any additional comments?

Buy it, oh and Angus King is a legend

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

Patricia

Wadebridge, United Kingdom

29/02/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"Cleverly delivered"

Christopher Brookmyer does not disappoint with this cleverly developed story . It has rich characters and the plot builds with the backstory of all characters with humour and for me a trip down memory lane. His skills at relaying those school years and the difficulties growing up, the impact of certain incidents reverberating through to adulthood and the consequences. I loved listening to this and had many laugh out loud moments. It brought back so many amusing words and phrases anyone who spent any time in Scotland as a child would recognize.I recommend this book. The narrator did an excellent job.

1 of 1 people found this review helpful

Mrs

United Kingdom

8/12/15

Overall

Performance

Story

"5 Star performance"

Great Story, well read. I really enjoyed this.

a few more words to meet the minimum requirements.

3 of 4 people found this review helpful

J. V. Knight

29/10/16

Overall

Performance

Story

"To many F and C words"

What about Angus King’s performance did you like?

Good performance overall.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Sadness. I am not a prude by any meaning of the word but this book was just a constant swear fest, using the C and F words over and over and over coming out of the mouths of children. It really spoilt my enjoyment and in the end I stopped listening 3/4 of the way through the book. I felt sorry for Angus King having to constantly curse like this. Spoilt what is a good story!

0 of 0 people found this review helpful

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